Page 16 of Siren in Love (In Love #1)

Mike

Four months later.

M ike hadn’t bothered with a tie since Peter had called him into the office on a Saturday, something the vampire wouldn’t have done if it hadn’t been absolutely necessary. Peter, however, was flawlessly dressed as usual, his Windsor knot accentuating his fine suit.

They sat in the conference room, with its cream-colored table and the glass wall that faced the legal library across the hallway.

The paralegals and investigators worked in the library, but it being the weekend, it was empty.

In fact, the entire office was quiet, the only people there were Mike, Peter, and Peter’s mysterious werewolf friend, the one for whom Peter had asked a favor.

“Well?” Peter’s unyielding gaze bored into Mike’s eyes.

Mike cleared his throat. “You know I normally wouldn’t have any trouble with letting him stay at my place. I just need to know he can be discreet around my very human boyfriend.”

“Discreet?” the werewolf said. “Like, you don’t want me to walk around the house in the nude, or you don’t want me to watch kinky porn where your human plaything can hear?”

The werewolf, who Peter had introduced as “let’s call him John” was pretty, but he had the air of an uncultured brat used to getting his way.

His sepia skin had grayish undertones though, as if he hadn’t slept much over the past few days, and while his hair looked lank now, Mike was sure it would be wild, bouncy curls after a thorough wash or two.

Still, his near golden eyes were sharp and took in everything around him.

I wonder what his real story is. Must be quite something if Peter wants to stash him with me under a fake name.

“Mind your tone,” Peter said to the werewolf.

The edge to the vampire’s voice was slight, but it was enough to make John cast his gaze down to the pristine tabletop in a clear sign of werewolf submission.

Peter looked back at Mike. “I don’t care if you use your song on him should he fail to behave.

I just need him in a safe place for a few days until I can sort out this situation. ”

“The one you can’t tell me about,” Mike said.

Peter’s lips curved like the blade of a flensing knife. “Yes, that.”

Mike narrowed his eyes. “Doesn’t sound like your legal expertise is required.”

“Michael, I cannot talk about the specifics of the situation.”

Peter’s smile spoke volumes though.

“I don’t see why I can’t stay at your place,” John muttered despondently.

Peter frowned. “That would be because you cannot be trusted to do as you’re told. But a siren can make you do whatever he wishes, and I very much doubt it will involve granting you kinky porn privileges.”

John’s hands balled into fists, and he visibly deflated. He’s not angry or despondent, Mike realized. He’s scared.

Mike sighed. “Fine. Of course he can stay with us.”

Peter nodded. “Good. John, go across the hall and wait in the library until Michael comes to get you.” He waited for John to obey. The werewolf did, but he clearly wasn’t being especially snappy about it. If that annoyed Peter, he didn’t show it.

Once the werewolf was out of earshot, Peter turned his icy gaze on Mike. “You still haven’t told Corvin.”

Mike heard the undertone of accusation in Peter’s voice. Ever since that very unfortunate yule cat in October incident, Peter had taken a shine to Corvin. And Peter didn’t take a shine to anyone, as far as Mike was aware.

Yet, Peter had extended the invitation to the holiday office party to Corvin and had made sure to get Corvin the kind of nice holiday gift only clients usually got. He also asked about Corvin on the regular, asking when Mike was going to tell him.

About vampires, werewolves, witches, banshees… And sirens. At some point, I need to tell Corvin about sirens too.

“I’m planning on telling him,” Mike said. “I made plans for Valentine’s Day.”

Peter cocked a brow. “Michael, please. Valentine’s Day is for asking the person you love if they will spend the rest of their existence with you, maybe even the afterlife. Ask the question after the snow melts, then be handfasted by Beltane, that’s how it goes.”

“Uh, well…”

Peter raised the other brow. “You intend to ask for his vow?”

Mike cleared his throat and crossed his arms. “I may have… Look, I don’t know what came over me, but he’s such a romantic.

Totally acerbic about it, of course, will not shut up about how silly it all is, but at the end of every rom-com we watch, he’s sitting in my lap and we’re cuddling under a blanket. ”

“Are you certain he’s healthy? He seems to be cold a lot of the time. Medicine has come such a long way, and you might take him to a doctor.”

“It’s winter, Peter. And he has low blood pressure. Also, he’s human.”

“If you say so. Will you be needing advice for the prenup? Or will you take a witch to seal your vows?”

Heat rose to Mike’s face. “I hadn’t thought that far ahead. It was just another rom-com, and he was in my lap again, and then later when he was asleep, I looked at a few rings, okay?”

Peter clapped his hands. “Of course. You must have an island ceremony. Something close to the ocean.”

“Are you even listening to me?”

“Obviously. You will be asking Corvin to commit to you in whatever type of ceremony you both are comfortable with. I love the idea, except there’s one clear flaw to it.”

Mike’s heart fell. “What?!”

Peter shrugged. “Cart, horse. You have to tell him what you truly are first.”

“I know that.”

“You cannot use marriage as an excuse not to tell him. That would be a terrible injustice to the both of you.”

“I know that too.”

“If recent history has taught us anything about hiding who we really are—”

“Please stop. I’m telling him.” It was Mike’s turn to give the grain of the table a closer examination. “I want him to know, you know? I want to sing to him so damn much, every day. It’s like when I see him, I can’t help it. And…is it normal for love to grow stronger over time?”

Peter gave Mike a flat look. “How would I know? I’ve never loved. Immortality is ill-suited to love. Your kind are different. Your heart is in your song, and you can’t hide it.”

“Peter, I know.”

“So tell him.”

Mike closed his eyes and heaved a sigh. “I will. I made plans. Look, all I’m saying is, I need your werewolf to keep his mouth shut about stuff.”

“Corvin saw me kill a yule cat with my bare hands and never much questioned it, so like most humans, he’s bound to search out ignorance. And as I said, use your song on John. Do it kindly, but do it if he needs it.”

Kindly? Maybe I should feel sorry for the werewolf.

“All right, I’ll try that. It’s not going to be for long, right?”

“Only days. I’ll hurry.”

“Fine. Yeah, fine.”

Peter nodded. “And bring him to work with you. He can do temp work. It’ll be good for him.”

“Yeah, sure.” Mike stood, ready to head back home to Corvin.

“Michael, please tell Corvin, sooner rather than later. You know it’s required here in New Elvenswood.”

Mike nodded. “I know. Lord Laurette of the Silver Moons has decreed it.”

The elven lord had lived in New Elvenswood for ages and protected the city and her people like a mother hen her eggs. If a mother hen came with powerful brute strength magic that could unalive a dinosaur, that is.

“Indeed. I believe a year is the customary grace period, and you are cutting it rather close.”

“I’m going to tell him, Peter. I…I love him. I want him to hear my song and know that it’s a part of me.”

Peter’s smile was sharp rather than warm. “That’s good. I truly wish the two of you happiness. And thank you for taking John.”

“Sure. I’ll manage, and so will Corvin.”

Peter’s smile warmed. “Give Corvin my best, will you?”